Posts Made By: Dave Emison

OK, it's well known that the Orion Stratus and Baader Hyperion are pretty much one and the same. What about the Celestron Ultima LX? I'm no expert, but just looking at them and reviewing their specs, they seem like they could be another incarnation of the same optical assembly. Any thoughts?

Dave

Anyone have any experience with these, or the 31mm for that matter? I'm looking for an alternative to my 40mm UO MK-70. It's light transmission is outstanding, but I'd like something that has better edge performance at f/8 or so, with an AFOV of 68-72 degrees.

Also, I need an eyepiece with similar weight, as I am using medium f/ refractors and the UO is about the limit. Most of my EP's are about a pound, but I can go 4 ounces either way.

The 36 is the one I'm after, but I can't really find much user info on these. Any hands on observations of either, would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

Most of the suggestions so far are, I think, what folks consider the best choice. There's nothing wrong with that. I hear where you're coming from though, when you mention "frugal". Been in and out of there a lot myself!

Just thinking what you have, I'd go for a 40-50mm (2 inchers are really nice here) and a 20-25mm. That would round out your eyepiece collection nicely. You don't have to jump right into a TeleVue, Pentax, or any of the high end EPs yet. My strategy has been to go with mid/low end EPs and see how they work out as far as focal length, AFOV, eye relief etc. When you accrue several within a certain FL range, you'll know better what you really like. Then you can sell off a few on AMart and go for a higher end EP.

Everybody has their own approach, as to how to go about this business called "Amateur" astronomy. I've been in and out of this hobby a lot. Over the years, your attitude can change. I know, since grinding my first 6" mirror in 1970, my attitude has changed a lot. "Dump the light buckets and bring on the refractors!"

Anyway, good luck with your EP expansion. There really aren't that many "bad" choices you can make.

Dave